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the sweet scoop

the sweet scoop

From rising food rockstars to acclaimed celebrity chefs, the country’s culinary elite gathered together last night to celebrate the Food & Wine 2012 Best New Chefs. Held at the Liberty Theater in the heart of Times Square, the 24th annual soiree ushered in the latest roster of talented visionaries, as announced by Food & Wine Editor-in-ChiefDana Cowin and PublisherChristina Grdovic.

Every year, the editors at Food & Wine scour the nation to find the most talented chefs with a unique culinary vision. “It is such a delight to honor these incredible chefs, who have made a tremendous impact on the culinary world in a short period of time,” Cowin says.

After the big reveal, guests noshed on Creole-seasoned buttermilk fried chicken drumsticks from DJ Questlove—who rocked the turntables and helped take the event to all-out dance party status. In between savory bites and cutting loose on the dance floor with Dana Cowin and The Harlem James Gang, the crowd sipped Belvedere cocktails and Gallo wines, and got sweet on luscious Godiva chocolate truffles.

Thanks to the entire Food & Wine staff for a truly memorable evening. Wishing many congrats to all the 2012 Best New Chefs!

Classic Campari cocktails, a selection of vino and sparkling San Pellegrino refreshed partygoers, while A Voce provided sweet relief with scrumptious chocolate cannoli over roasted cherries. Meatball Madnesscertainly started off the Festival in style and everyone seemed to have a ball—while devouring dozens!

From rising stars in the food world to seasoned pros, the country’s culinary elite gathered together last night in celebration ofFood & Wine’s 2011 Best New Chefs. Held uptown at the Bohemian National Hall, the elegant affair welcomed in the latest roster of up-and-comers, while past Best New Chefs Tom Colicchio (1991), Rocco DiSpirito (1999), Missy Robbins (2010), Michael Anthony (2002), Jonathan Benno (2006) and Top Chef Season 7 winner Kevin Sbraga tempted guests with appetizing dishes—including foie gras soup with pear and roses, spice roasted duck with ramps and leek-black bread pudding, a delicate medley of mussels, chips and dip, and creamy Taleggio fonduta with roasted onion and semolina sesame toast.

Bohemian National Hall set the scene for the Best New Chefs celebration (image courtesy of MetroMix)

During the night, partygoers mingled with celebrity chefs and the industry’s finest, enjoyed cocktails and Gallo wines, listened to live music and eagerly anticipated the winner announcement ceremony. Now, introducing the 2011 Food & Wine Best New Chefs:

In addition to these very talented ten, Beantown’s own Jamie Bissonnettesnagged the People’s Best New Chef Award for his champion nose-to-tail cooking techniques at enoteca Coppa (Boston, MA). After the soiree came to a close, the festivities continued at Geoffrey Zakarian’s hotel hotspot, The National, where guests sipped spicy gin mules, snacked on charcuterie and celebrated the new all-star culinary class.

Thanks again to Editor in Chief Dana Cowin, Publisher Christina Grdovic and the entire Food & Wine staff for a truly memorable evening. Wishing many congrats to all the 2011 Best New Chefs!